By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A North Geelong billboard is disrespecting the memory of fallen diggers, according to war veterans.
They want the council billboard removed from the middle of a Vietnam veterans Avenue of Honour on Melbourne Rd.
Geelong Vietnam Veterans Association president Reiny Nieuwenhof said the organisation had complained to City Hall.
“We recognise that taking that huge billboard out of there and relocating it, perhaps near the Separation St overpass, is an expensive exercise but it needs to happen to restore the integrity of the avenue of honour,” Mr Nieuwenhof said.
“Vicroads and the City have allowed inappropriate intrusions into what Vietnam vets regard as a memorial of the sacrifice of 521 men.”
Mr Nieuwenhof said removing the billboard and another sign advertising a retail motorcycle dealership were part of a $130,000 project to create a “legacy” Vietnam veterans memorial.
“Our objective is to restore the avenue of honour to its former glory by replacing the dead and missing trees.
“Quite a number have gone because of the drought and capital works. A sign indicating the avenue is hidden by tree branches, so many people don’t even realise it’s there.”
Mr Nieuwenhof said the association wanted to complete the project by 2016 in time for the Battle of Long Tan’s 50th anniversary.
The project included restoration of former Osborne Park gates and creating a path through them to a small memorial park on the corner of Swinburne St.
The project proposed a series of interpretive panels, including one with the names of all diggers who died in Vietnam, and a Long Tan cross near a Lone Pine on the grounds of Osborne Park.
“We want to leave this as a legacy for the community of Geelong long after we as an organisation are gone,” Mr Nieuwenhof said.
The association was seeking funding for the project through a buy-a-paver appeal and panel sponsorships.
A City spokesman said officers would meet Vicroads officials this week to discuss roadside signage in the Avenue of Honour’s “immediate area”.
